Sometimes even those who do not suffer from dental phobia, however, freeze up when they have to undergo a surgical procedure such as the one they would have to undergo foran implant placement.
In these cases, there is no real fear of the dentist so much as a fear of the scalpel. If you also suffer from these kinds of phobias, you can heave a sigh of relief: the professionals at the Savasta practice specialize inscalpel-free implant surgeries.
What are scalpel-free implant surgeries
Over the years, medicine in general has made important advances. Obviously, this technical and technological progress has also affected oral surgery.
One of the most important innovations is scalpelless implantology, also known as transmucosal or flapless surgery.
This technique minimizes the invasiveness of the procedure, which is much quicker and requires no cutting. The advantages are numerous:
- the patient is more serene, since no scalpel will be used on him;
- the operation takes much less time;
- the margin of error is very small indeed;
- the postoperative course is faster, smoother and without complications.
In such a procedure, much of the work is done outside the client's mouth: implants are inserted into holes drilled in the gum with extreme precision using custom-made templates obtained on the basis of the three-dimensional radiographic examination.
The steps of the operation
The whole procedure consists of several steps. First, the dentist listens carefully to the patient, then the examination is carried out.
A three-dimensional CT scan of the patient's entire bone structure is performed. Once the examination is performed, themedical team at the Savasta practice analyzes the detected images on the computer: a perfect virtual, three-dimensional reproduction of the patient's jaw bones is represented on the screen.
The virtual model is studied very carefully to identify the ideal location and size of the implants, then the surgery is simulated on the model itself.
A surgical guide, called a template, is obtained from the simulation: this is a template created specifically for the patient, fitted with steel bushings that allow the implants to be placed in the correct position, exactly as determined during the simulation.
Holes are drilled in the gingiva: implants are grafted into these holes, which will attach to the bone without the need to use a scalpel to open the gingival flap.
A prosthesis is then clipped onto the implant, restoring adequate chewing function and restoring an aesthetically impeccable smile to the patient.
To summarize, the steps are as follows:
- visit is made to study the situation and assess whether there are conditions to perform the surgery with the flapless technique;
- A three-dimensional CT scan is performed;
- the virtual model, on which the intervention is simulated, is studied;
- A customized template is made;
- Taking advantage of the guide of the template, holes are drilled into the gums and implants inserted with a very high level of precision;
- Prostheses are fixed on the implants.
The advantages of flapless implantology
Thanks to such a technique, even if you are afraid of the scalpel you will be able to undergo the procedure! Of course, before deciding whether to use this approach, the medical staff will make sure that all the necessary conditions exist.
In some cases, in fact, it will not be possible to intervene in this way: the scalpelless technique cannot be used on patients who have a very small amount of bone or whose gums are not in good condition or are not present in sufficient quantity.
The dentist, after a thorough diagnostic evaluation, will be able to ascertain whether or not all the conditions are in place to perform the procedure without a scalpel.
The advantages of scalpel-free implantology are many. As mentioned, the opportunity to undergo the procedure without undergoing cuts is a major psychological breakthrough for patients who are afraid of the dentist.
Among other things , the operation is completed in a matter of minutes. No cuts are made, so no stitches have to be applied, bleeding is very minimal, and pain after the procedure is significantly less than after traditional implant surgery.
Healing is rapid and no medication should be taken for too long.
